Friday, May 6, 2011

Kabutomushi カブトムシ

Kabutomushi
Japanese rhinoceros beetle
Allomyrina dichotoma


A species of rhinoceros beetle found in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China.



My pet kabutomushi (Left:Male Right:Female)


科名: コガネムシ科 
体の大きさ: 32~53mm(雄の角をのぞく)
分布: 北海道~九州、奄美大島、沖縄諸島 
成虫が見られる時間:6月~8月 
幼虫の食べ物:たい肥、腐植土などのくさった植物質

特徴:クヌギなどの樹液や、じゅくした果実に集まる。

Family: Scarabaeidae
Body size: 32~55mm (Not including the male's horn)
Distribution in Japan: Hokkaido~Kyushu, Amamiooshima & Okinawan Islands
Adult stage: June~August
Larvae feeds on: Compost, detritus

Key Points: Gathers around the sap of oak trees etc. and ripe fruit.


This super cute pair of kabutomushi was given to me by a friend whose bro found them in a nearby forest. I kept them for about 2months last summer before they made their journey to beetle heaven :P. The males usually die after mating many times, and the females after laying their eggs. First time I'd actually seen and held beetles so big!! Quite an experience :D.





Mr. Kabutomushi giving me his best profile shot




Profile view of Mrs. Kabutomushi ^^



In their happy, little dirt filled home :) (I'm sorry that it's not as big as your forest!!!) That yellow jelly is specially made kabutomushi food!




Kabutomushi jelly!! These beetles are very popular pets amongst kids, so you can actually buy specially made food for them in the supermarket :D



I had a great time with these guys watching them fossik around and burrowing about in the dirt. They spent a lot of their time fully buried. In fact, the first night I had them, they buried themselves and I was quite perplexed as to how they had managed to escape. I found them about 30mins later after having determined that there was no way they could have pushed open the lid :P.

Definitely recommend spending some time with these amazing critters!

xxx

EDIT:
And Quintin, just for you:

Pokemonidae, Heracrossa quintinius

;)

2 comments:

  1. THROW A POKEBALL AT IT EMMA!!! THAT IS NO BUG!!!

    Heracross are large beetle-like Pokémon covered in a blue exoskeleton. The most notable feature is the large, pronged horn protruding out of its forehead. Heracross has two antennae with spherical tips to the sides of the horn, and elliptical eyes with yellow scleras. Heracross has small spiky extensions on the forearm segments of its exoskeleton, and two claws on its hands. Heracross has a single spiky extension on each thigh, and one pointed toe on its feet.

    P.S.

    Origin

    Heracross is most likely based on the kabutomushi, a very popular species of rhinoceros beetle found in Japan and other parts of Asia. These beetles are known for their incredible strength, and use in insect fighting, which explains its Fighting-type.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Brilliant connection, Quintin! ;D I have just updated the post to include this new information you have brought to my attention ;) x

    ReplyDelete